Running On The Cracks

Description

This is a runaway thriller for Jacqueline Wilson fans, by the author of "The Gruffalo". 14-year-old Leo runs away from her aunt and uncle's home, where she has been living since the sudden death of her musician parents. Leo is driven away by the disturbing behaviour of her uncle. But she is not just wanting to escape her life: she wants to discover the secret behind the feud between her father and his Chinese family.Leo's journey is peopled with a cast of fabulous characters: 12-year-old Finlay, who can never get anything right and is always in trouble; Mary the manic depressive, who provides a hideaway for Leo; Rab, the grumpy cornershop owner and Marina the no-nonsense doughnut lady, both of whom give Finlay work - and plenty of unsolicited advice! Julia Donaldson has crafted a funny, moving, heart-stopping thriller with characters that will stay in your heart long after you have turned the final uplifting page.

Awards

Shortlisted for Independent Booksellers' Book of the Year Award: Children's Book of the Year 2009.

Author description

Julia Donaldson is a celebrated children's author whose many titles include picture books, such as The Gruffalo and Follow the Swallow, and chapter books, such as The Giants and Joneses, Princess Mirror-Belle and The Dinosaur's Diary. She has also written numerous songs, plays and poems. Running on the Cracks is her first novel for teenagers.